Week In Tech: It’s raining tech

Posted by Nicole Jones on 20 July 2018

As Britain’s parched parks and sunburnt population can attest to, we haven’t seen much of the wet stuff during the recent heatwave. So, in the spirit of nostalgia for our long-lost friend (the rain), we’ve rounded up some highlights from the wonderful world of water-based tech.

The world held its breath this week as we awaited news of the Thailand cave rescue – but whilst the rest of us watched, Elon Musk cracked on with finding a solution. Sadly, the hastily constructed rescue submarine has been panned by some as a PR stunt, with the head of the rescue mission dismissing the unit as unsuitable for navigating the cave network. However, the submarine could come in use for future open-water missions… and if not, there’s always space exploration.

In slightly more cheerful news for keen scuba divers of the world, scientists are looking to develop a new technology called ‘cloud brightening’ which would artificially increase cloud cover above the Great Barrier Reef. This could play a key role in protecting the Reef, which has suffered from years of devastating damage. Cloud brightening aims to tackle the problem of warming water by keeping the Reef at optimum coral-growing temperatures.

More of a surfer? Australians are readying themselves for the first round of tests on Surf Lakes, arguably the most ambitious man-made wave facilities the world has even seen. Utilising one of the largest hydraulic cylinders in the world, Surf Lakes will generate perfect and predictable waves, great for newbie surfers and old hands alike. The company behind the project hopes to expand across the world, so whether you’re in Brisbane or Birmingham, your surf-bum fantasy could become a reality sooner than you think.

To end on a feel-good note, three tech-whizzes in Kenya have developed a new technology designed to harvest clean drinking water from the air. Powered by solar water, the device can generate up to 10 litres of water in a day. Having been successfully tested in Nairobi and Kenya, the technology is set to be placed in rural areas, where locals can buy a litre at the affordable price of just £0. 0.0075.

A big thanks to Leo Cosendai from Third Ear for bringing sound meditation & modern mindfulness to our office today. All the Octopedes who attended had an amazing experience. #WellnessDay https://t.co/Ic3mhGFw3W